Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

bvetter

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Maybe do a small qty pour, say 5oz-A 5oz-B (10oz total), and try to direct it a close to the center as possible. After it sets up, use your inspection cam to get an idea of how it's distributing, may give you an idea of how to attack your subsequent pours.

What if you took a section of 2" or 3" hose (something fairly rigid like fuel line or clear food grade tubing), slice it in half (like a pea shell) so you could get one end under the tank, and long enough that the other end comes up the side of the tank to where you can reach it. Pour in the top, and let it ride out of the bottom right at the keel. If you mix fast, and pour quick, it would get down there before setting up. You'd only get a couple uses out of the hose before it's too plugged up to use. Dunno of it would work, but worth a try. I was going to try a similar trick to get it in some hard to reach cavities in my transom structure.
 

bvetter

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

This kind of tube, in a 3" or 4" diameter, a couple feet long.



Here is the "engineered" design.



It's a crapshoot of an idea. Heck, you can call it that, the "crapshute".
 

bigdirty

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

:lol: i was gona suggest pretty much the same thing!!! Love the name tho... dono if you could market a product called a 'crapshute'.. but what the hey, might be worth a... sh*t! :pound:
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

It might be a good addition to a boat that does not have a head. :D
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Formula uses a hose system to 'pump' the foam in from the bottom. There are typically 3 hoses laid out in the fuel bay before the tank is lowered in and the hoses are cut open at the keel. This is done so that the foam fills from the lowest point. I think I showed the hoses in some of my earlier pics/videos on the project. It would seem though, to get that much foam to flow through several hoses in a matter of 20-30 seconds would require some sort of pressurized system. Probably not in my bag of tricks.

Of course, it is not a perfect method, as the original foaming on my boat had a void along the butt end of the tank and another one along the belly of the tank.

Good ideas so far, keep 'em coming :thumb:
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

I would get a few people and do multiple pours at the same time.

may cost you a 12 pack of liquid boat re-construction enhancer, however im thinking 6 people mixing and pouring foam at the same time should saturate the area under the tank, then expand up the sides as needed.

would take a bit of calculation on the right amount of foam to mix and pour. however do the math prior to drinking.
 

alldodge

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

do the math prior to drinking.

Now what's the fun it that :rolleyes:

I think there is room to lower the tank straight down into the hull, right? If so mix up a batch suitable for the very bottom section of the tank. Have the tank hanging above the opening with enough room to pour the batch under it. Once poured, lower the tank on top the hull.
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Well, no boat work this weekend. . . I am heading to Florida with the Admiral to assist her dad do his annual migration north. We will be flying there and driving back. 3 days on the road, so I'll have plenty of time to contemplate the foam ideas.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas so far. :thumb:

Having looked at my schedule, I think that I will be foaming the boat during the weekend of May 10th. Probably looking at a mid-June readiness to launch.
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Where in the sunshine state are you headed?
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

West palm beach . Just landed
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Wish I would have known that earlier. I would have made a visit to one of the shipyards in West Palm and we could have tipped a few. Travel safe
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Wish I would have known that earlier. I would have made a visit to one of the shipyards in West Palm and we could have tipped a few. Travel safe

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind for next time. It is a quick trip for us this time; we'll be on the road at about 6:00 AM tomorrow
 

Mikeopsycho

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

I'll be reading with great interest. I have to replace my leaking aluminum 35 gallon fresh water tank and 120 gallon gas tank, which are 35 years old. Both of them are V shaped and sit in the center of the hull under the sole of the salon, with the fuel tank extending through the main salon/cockpit bulkhead into the engine compartment. They were foamed in, and I've been wondering whether to try and foam in the replacement tanks or mount them some other way.

I wish you luck on your project and I'm sure I can learn from all the members who participate in this thread.

Mike
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

I would start a thread and ask the question. The answers will run the gambit. Post some pictures. as well, because that always helps folks visualize.

The issue would be to what extent the foam is part of the structural integrity and intended design of the boat. Those are the major factors for foaming in tanks in the first place. If you take a boat that was designed based on the structural support of a foamed in tank and go without foam on a replacement tank, it is questionable as to what has happened to the structural integrity of the boat.

The main reason that I am going to foam in the tank on the repair is that the boat was designed to have a foamed in tank.
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Wish I would have known that earlier. I would have made a visit to one of the shipyards in West Palm and we could have tipped a few. Travel safe

Well, we went out to dinner at a place by the water . . . lots of boats going by, big, medium and small. I saw a Formula 330 docked across the channel. :)

Highlight of the evening is when the wait staff brought my FIL an 'end cut' of prime rib,instead of the center cut that he usually gets. . . . that went over like a fart in church :rolleyes:

Anyway, I need to order some remaining supplies for the bulkhead project. I believe that I should get neoprene rubber for the fuel tank to rest against/upon in the fuel tank bay. The foam will pretty much take over as it is applied.

Can I get the proper 'neoprene' at a hardware store or Home Depot ? Or should I order some online? Do I actually need it with a foam-in tank installation?
 
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tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

BTW - I happened to see a fueling dock while by the water last evening . . . $5.95/gallon for gas :eek: :faint2:
 

Scott Danforth

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

order your neoprene from mcmaster.com
 

GT1000000

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Highlight of the evening is when the wait staff brought my FIL an 'end cut' of prime rib,instead of the center cut that he usually gets. . . . that went over like a fart in church :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, the service industry in South Florida does have a tendency to have issues...has something to do with an over paid, under experienced work force...:facepalm:
BTW, the church comment has had me laughing for a good five minutes...Thank you...:laugh::lol::roll::pound:


Can I get the proper 'neoprene' at a hardware store or Home Depot ? Or should I order some online? Do I actually need it with a foam-in tank installation?
If it is actual neoprene, I don't see a reason not to buy locally...might save on shipping and waiting...

My understanding is you will need it if any part of the actual tank is resting on any support, if the tank will be fully supported by the foam...? IDK how you could accomplish that...then I would say no...besides it being an insulator, I understand that it does not become corrosive against aluminum...
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

I ordered some neoprene sheets and some biaxial fiberglass tape online last night. Hopefully the supplies will arrive by Friday so I will have them for the weekend. Currently heading north with the FIL's prize possession (his dog). We are driving through the Richmond, VA area as I type.

I will probably get the fuel tank back in the boat this weekend, but won't do the foaming until the following weekend. I plan on using the biaxial tape to bond the stringer grid to the cockpit liner sole. Even though the folks at Formula said it was not necessary, I figure that this would be my best chance to do it, since I can get at most of the structure with the boat opened up.
 

tpenfield

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Re: Formula 330SS Bulkhead Replacement

Quick Update:

Made it to New Jersey today . . . Admiral treated me to dinner at Hooter's :)

Looking forward to getting back to New England tomorrow and working on the boat this weekend
 
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